Combined nut cracking and feeding machine



(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 1. H. c. PFBIPPBR. COMBINED NUT GRACKING AND PEEDING MACHINE.

No. 563,308. Patented July-7, 1896.

MA TTOHNE me Nonms percus co, PNoToLrmo. wAsuwaYoN. n. c.

(No Model.) l I 3 Sheet's-Sheet 2'. H. C. PPBIFFBR.

Y COMBINED NUT GRAGKING AND PENDING MACHINE.

No.` 568,308. N Patented Jul-y 7, 1896.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet; 3.

HpC. -PPEIFPER- COMBINED NUT GEAGKING AND EEEDING MACHINE.

No. 563,308. Y 1%Nw11ted- July 7,'1896.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

HENRY C. PFEIFFER, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

COMBINED NU T CRACKING vAND VFEEDING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 563,308, dated July '7, 1896. Application filed November Z9, 1895. Serial No. 570.444. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern: Y

Be it known that I, HENRY C. PFEIFFER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have in vented a certain new and Improved Combined Nut Cracking and Feeding Machine; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact descrip'- tion of the invention,such as will enable others to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specication.

The objects of my invention are, first, to cause the crushing force upon the nut to approach from opposite `directions and lessen the injury to the kernel of the nut; second, to transmit the nuts automatically from the hopner to the nut-cracking jaws; third, to regulate the width-of space between the jaws; fourth, to throw the nuts into position for cracking.

My invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts such as. will first be fully described, and specifically pointed outinthe claims.

In the drawings, Figure lis a view in perspective of the improved nut cracking and transmitting machine, with a portion of the hopper broken away to show the nut-agitator, the passage for the nuts, and'the dustvent. Fig. 2 is a plan view in detail of the bed of the machine, showing the stationary uprights for the shaft-bearingand the vertical tube in section, also showing the nutcracking plungers or jaws and connections and the operating mechanism for thrusting the nut-carrier beneath the jaws. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional viewin detail, taken at right angles to the bed of the machine and also lthrough the vertical tube and hopper, showing the end of one of the nut-cracking jaws, the nut-carrier, the rotary wheel with depressions for nuts, and the ratchet-wheel and pawls, the agitating-bar in the hopper, and the crank-shaft and connecting-bars extending from the eccentric plate to the crankshaft. Fig. 4 is a detail vertical sectional view of the nut-conveying tube as seen in Fig. l, showing the wheel and its depressions and the spring engagingthe portion of periphery of the wheel upon one side of one of the depressions.

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the sleeves or bearings, the nut-cracking jaws, an d the disk on the power-shaft, taken from a position in rear of said cylinder, showing the connecting-bar on the disk extending to the plunger and the pivotal arm on said disk connected with the other jaw. Fig. 6 is a view of the sleeves or bearings from the position as seen in Fig. 5, with the disk connectingarm and plungers removed. Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view of the sleeves or bearingsand the nut-crackingplungers and jaws, taken on the lineXXof Fig. 5. Fig. Sis a detail view in perspective of one of the plungers. Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the bed and adjustable plate, taken on the line y y of Fig. 2. Fig. l0 is a horizontal sectional view of the guide-case beneath the vertical nut-conveying tube, showing the nut carrier and guard thrown forward in position beneath the .opening between the adjacent ends of the sleeves, also showing the adjacent broken ends of the sleeves with the cap or hood removed. l

Similar letters. of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

A represents the bed of the machine, which consists of a rectangular-shaped plate of suitable width. Upon the upper surface of the bed-plate A is a dovetail bar or guide a2, extending the entire length of said plate and attached to said plate at a point nearly equidistant from the longitudinal edge portions. Upon the upper surface of the plate A, in the direction of the end of said plate, is an adjustable plate B, comparatively short in length, and in the under surface of saidplate is a longitudinal dovetail groove o, which receives the gui de-bar a2 on the plate A. To the outer edge portion of the plate B is attached rigidly the longitudinal outer side portion of a jawbearing B', which consists of a hollow cylinder or sleeve considerably shorter in length than the plate B, and connected with said plate at a point below thev line of its axis, extending horizontally through the cylinder. A portion of the end of the plate B 'describes a curved line from said end to the end of the cylinder, thus forming a recess b". To the outer side and rear end portion of the sleeve B', above the axis of said cylinder, is rigidly attached a narrow plate b2, which yplate eX- tends rearwardly in a plane parallel with and ICO in the direction described by the end a of said plate A, and nearly the same distance. To the end portion of the plate b2 is attached rigidly a cylindrical bearing b3, which is connected with said plate above the line of its axis, extending horizontally through said bearing. To the outer cylindrical surface b3, and in line with the outer end of said bearing, is attac-hed rigidly a iiat plate b4, the lower edge describing an arc of a circle and the upper end extending longitudinally at b4 in the direction described by the sleeve B and nearly opposite thereto. In a transverse direction to plate b2 and in the bearing b3 is a shaftopening b5, for the purpose hereinafter described, the respective plates B b2 b4 and the shaft-bearing b3 and sleeve B being cast in one piece. In the direction of the other end a' of the bed A is an adjustable plate C, which is of the saine lengt-h as plate B, and in the under side portion thereof is a dovetail slot c, which receives the longitudinal guide-bar a2. In the plate C is a slot c. v

In the bed A, and extending through the guide-bar d2, is a screw-threaded opening a3, in which is a screw-threaded bolt c2, which extends through the slot c in the plate C and is provided with a bolt-head c3. On the outer edge portion of the plate C is a cylinder C', which is attached to said plate in precisely the same manner as described of the sleeve B', said sleeves being arranged in position ashort distance apart.

. The nut-cracking jaws consist of cylindrical plungers which iit within the respective sleeves or bearings B' C. In the sleeve B is fitted the plunger D, in which is the longitudinal slot d, extending from one end to within a short distance of the other end of said plunger. In the slot d in the plunger D is a iixed rod d', which extends the described length of the sleeve or bearing B and is secured in position by a pin d2, which extends through the cylinder B and also through the rear end of said rod. The forward end of the said rod extends through an opening cl3 in the portion of the plunger beyond the slot CZ. In the extreme forward end of the plunger D is aconcavityd (See Fig. 6.) In the sleeve or bearin g C is a plunger E, which is constructed precisely the same as the plunger D, the norlnal position of the concave end portions of the plungers being within the cylinders, as seen in Fig. (i, and the ejecting-rods Z and e projecting outwardly to a position in line with the vertical faces of the respective sleeves B' C.

In the bearing b3 on the plate b2 and in shaftopening b5 is a shaft F. To one end of shaft F, which lies in the plane of the bed of the machine,is attached a disk G. To the outer face of the disk G and near its periphery is pivoted one end of the connecting-bar H. This ba-ris coinposed of two separate pieces,the end portion h, which is pivoted to the disk G, being bent rearwardly from its point of connection and laterally from the sleeve B in an outwardlycurved line, thence extended in the longitudinal direction of the bed-plate A, and terminating at a point nearly equidistant' from each end of said bed-plate. The other portion of the bar II overlaps the terminal ofthe portion h and is slotted at hX and bolted thereto at one end by the adjusting-bolts h2, which pass through the slots and into the end h of said bar. The other end h3 of said portion of the bar is extended in nearly a direct line with the portion to which it is attached, to a position near the outer end of sleeve C', and is then bent in a curved line inwardly to a position above the outer end of plunger E, and thence extended downwardly in an outwardly-curved line wit-hin the slot e of the plunger E and pivoted to said end of said plunger. To the outer face of the disk G, beneath the pivotal end portion of the bar II, and at a point near the periphery of said disk, eccentric in position to the pivot connecting said bar, is pivoted oneu end of a short arm d5, the other end of which'arm is pivoted to the outer end of the plunger D in the slot Extending at rightl angles to the sleeves Bl C', and in a direction outwardly from the outer side portion of said cylinder, is an extended box or case I, which is nearly of the same height and width as the opening between the adjacent end portions of the sleeves B C. A portion of the top 'i is removed from the case extending from the end near the sleeves B C about one-half the described distance toward the other or outer end. A portion of bottom t" of said case is also removed extending from the sleeves B C' the same dist-ance as from top i. Upon the upper side of the case I, above the opening formed by the removal of the top of said case, is rigidly attached a case i2, of the saine width as the case I, and extended from the end of the ease I, near the sleeves vB C', the same distance in the direction of the other end of said case as described by the opening in the top i. The said case is inclosed on all sides, and is provided with an opening in the bottom portion, of the saine proportions as the opening in the top of said case I. In the top of the case i is a circular opening is. Upon the upper side portion of the top and extending around the opening i3 is a circular iiange i, In the case I is a reciprocating guide-block t5, in the outer end of which is a recess 6. In the outer end of the case I is an opening f. To the block 5 in the recess i is pivoted one end of a bar i8, the other end of which bar extends through the opening il and a short distance beyond said opening.

To the end of the block 5, extending toward the opening between the sleeves B C and the lower edge of said block, is rigidly attached a curved carrier-plate i, which in shape is similar to a spoon. To the under side portion of the plate i9, upon one side of said plate near block fi, is attached one end of a spring-finger il", the other end of which finger extends a short distance beyond the IOO IIO

forward end of the plate fi". Upon the other side of said plate is attached a spring-finger @'12, in the same manner as the finger @'10, On the upper edge of the block, above the plate Q19, is a lug 13, which retards the upper movement of the nut.

The case I is secured in position by means of a strap K, which is bolted at one end by bolts lo k to the upper side of the plate b2, and the other end extended downwardly to the lower portion of the adjacent side of said case and secured rigidly thereto. (See Fig. 2.)

To the portion bx of the plate b4, attached to the bearing b3, is bolted at Z one end of a lever support or brace L, the other end of which brace extends downwardly a short distance in a curved line, thence horizontally in the direction of the under side portion of bar 8, in the case I, to a point a considerable distance from said case. Upon. the outer end of said support L is pivotally attached a bellcrank lever M, one end of which is forked at m and pivotally connected with the vouter end of the bar 8, and the other end m extended inwardly a short distance in the direction of the sleeve B. To the end ofthe supportingbrace L, above the bolt Z, is connected rigidly the foot portion n of a guide-plate N.

In the upper portion of the plate N is a horizontal slot n', in which is a reciprocating bar or lever n2, one end n3 of which lever is bent at an angle and extends downwardly to a positionopposite the portion m' of the bellcrank lever M. On the lower end portion n3 of bar n2 is a laterally-extended slotted plate 115, and on Vthe portion m of the bell-crank lever is a pin m2, which extends into the slot in said plate. To the other end of the bar n2 in the slot n' is pivotally attached an arm n, the outer end of which arm is curved downwardly and forked, as at nx. Upon the upper side portion of the guide-plate N, and covering the slot n', is bolted one end of a spring n?, which consists of a plate, the other end extending nearly to the outer end of the pivoted arm n and bearing upon the upper surface of said arm.

To the end of shaft F, which extends a considerable distance outside of the plate b4, is rigidly attached a cam O, which engages with the forked end of the arm ni. On said shaft, outside of the cam O, is attached rigidly an operating-lever P. O11 the lower end portion of plate b4, beneath the shaft F, is a curved slotted plate p, held adjustably by the screwbolt p', on which plate is a lug p2, which limits the downward movement of the lever P. On the shaft F, outside of the lever P, is rigidly attached, eccentrically, a plate R, for the purpose hereinafter described.

Upon the upper surface of the plate B, on thebed A, is secured firmly by the bolts s s one end s of a plate or standard S, said bolts also passing through the plate B and bearing on the upper surface of the guide a. Said standard extends upwardly to a considerableV height above the bed A, being given an outward twist to bring the same in alinement with the vertical line of the outer edge of plate A, and a portion s2 bent at right angles and extended in a transverse direction'to the machine to a position above the case 2 in the case I, and a portion s3 bent at right angles and extended downwardly to a point a considerable distance above said case 2. In the upper horizontal portion s2 of the support or standard S, near the downwardly-extended portion s3, is an opening S4. In said opening is inserted one end of a vertical tube T, which extends downwardly and fits within the circular collar t4 in the upper side of the case 2. The other end of the tube T extends a short distance above the upper side of the horizontal portion of the support S. In the central portion and side of tube T, above the sleeve B', is a vertical slot t. To the outer side and upper end portion of the tube T is attached rigidly a spring t', the lower end of which sprin g extends within the slot t a short distance. In the other side of the tube T is a vertical slot t2, extending downwardly nearly to case i2. To the outer side of the portion s3 of the support S and'near the lower end of said portion is bolted a horizontal bar s4, which Vbar extends a short distancebeyond the outer edge of the support s3 in the direction described by the sleeve C', and is perforated at S5. 4

To the outer side portion of the standard S, extending down plate B, is secured rigidly a bar s6, which is perforated at S7. In the perforation or bearing S5 of the bar s4 is j ournaled a hollow shaft S8, which extends in one direction a short distance beyond the outer side portion of the bar s4, and to said end is rigidly attached a ratchet-wheel 89. Said shaft S8 extends in the other direction'to a position opposite the adjacent side of the slot t2 on theA tube T. In said hollow portion of shaft S8 is inserted and Secured rigidly one end of a shaft 310 of reduced diameter, the other end being journaled in the bar s6 in the vertical support S. On the shaft 810 is mounted a wheel U, in the periphery of which are inwardly-curved depressions u, each depression being of the proper size to receive the sepa- IOO IIO

rate nut to be cracked. The periphery of said wheel extends Within the slot t2 of the tube T and to a position near the slot tin said tube and in contact with the lower end of springt', said depressions u being arranged at equal distance apart and in series upon the said periphery. Upon shaft S10 is an adjustable collar 312, which binds the wheel U against the end of the hollow shaft S8.

Above the bar s4, and bolted to the portion s3, is a horizontal bar S13, which extends in the same direction as the bar s4 and a corresponding distance. In the end of bar S13 is a laterally-extended fixed rod 814, which is directly above the ratchet-wheel s". To the outer end .ofthe rod S14 is pivotally attached an oscillating vertically-arrangedbar S15.k

One end of said bar extends in an upward direction a considerable distance, and the other end in a downward direction outside of the ratchet-wheel S9 and to a point a short distance below the lower edge of said wheel. To the inner side of said bar S15, at said lower end of bar S15, is pivotally attached a pawl s1, to the free end ofwhich is attached a weight s, the other end engaging with the ratchetwheel. To the inner side of the bar S15, above the rod s, is pivoted a pawl S18, which engages the wheel S9. To the outer side portion of the bar S15, a short distance above the pivotal point of the pawl 316, is pivotally attached one end of a connecting-arm $20, the other end of which arm is pivotally connected with the outer side portion of the eccentric plate R on the shaft F.

To the upper end portion of the tube T is connected a hopper V. Said hopper consists of a flat bottom 1J, which is perforated at rx, near one end of said hopper, and the other end extended in the direction described by the operating-lever P, and inclined in an upward direction, at an angle to the tube T. The sides 'U' t2 to said hopper extend in a vertical direction along both sides of said hopper and across the end of the hopper lowest in position. To the outer portion of the side c is attached a shaft-bearing c3, and to the other side of said hopper 'U2 is attached a bearing c4. In the bearing r4 is journaled one end of a rock-shaft t5, the other end of which shaft extends through the bearin g c3 in a transverse direction to the hopper V and a short distance beyond the outer side portion of said hopper, and to said end is connected rigidly one end of a crank t6.

To the lower end of the crank 'UG is pivotally attached one end of a connecting-bar 07, the other end of which bar is pivotally connected with the upper end of the oscillating bar S15. On the shaft c5 is an adjusting-bar NV, which is perforated at its upper end to receive the shaft In said end of said bar lV is an adjusting screw `w, which binds against the shaft 'U5 and by means of which the agitator is adjusted in position. To the lower end of bar NV is attached one end of a coiled spring w', the lower end of said spring extending nearly to the bottom 'u of the hopper. In the lower end portion of the hopper V, beyond the openin g to the tube T, is a dustspout fus.

In the space above the plungers D E is an outwardly curved plate or hood as@ Said plate is secured in position by an outside curved strip m2, one end of which is secured t-o and extends from the upper side and inner end portion of the sleeve B to the upper side and adjacent end portions of the sleeve C', said plate being braced to the under side portion of the strips In the operation of the machine the nuts are placed indiscriminately in the hopper V, in snficient quantity, a few of which enter the tube T, the lower one of said nuts falling into the depression u in the wheel U. In the position as shown in full lines of the operating-lever P the plungers D E are retracted in position, and also the nut-carrier i9 and guideblock i5, the portion of the periphery of the wheel U being retarded by the springt, so that one of the depressions in t-he Wheel forms a movable or shifting bottom to the tube. The lever P is then operated in an upward and downward direction repeatedly, and in each downward stroke coming into contact with the lug p on plate t4. In this movement the eccentric plate R draws rearwardly the connecting-bar S20 and oscillates the bar S15. The pawl S1, which by the weight s is kept in contact with the ratchet-wheel $9, moves said wheel in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. l, thereby moving the portion of the wheel U on shaft ss from engagement with the spring t' in slot t and reversing the position of the depression u, containing the single nut, which nut falls into the case 112 and upon the carrier i. The spring t, meeting the portion of the periphery in the other side of the depression u, cheeks the movement of the wheel. In passing the spring t the position of the nut is adjusted so as to place the same in a position corresponding to the axis of the wheel. As soon as the one depression u has been partially rotated to throw a nut into the carrier i another depression is brought into position in the tube T, and into which another nut falls. In the movement of the ratchetwheel U the pawls si S18 act simultaneously. In the movement of lever P downward by the pivoted forked arm on the lever n2, which engages with the cam o, acts at a period of time antecedent to the movement of the eccentric plate R, drawing said lever n2 and the end m of the bell-crank lever rearwardly and thrusting the guide-block in the opening beneath the case t2 and closing the passage beneath said case, also thrusting the carrier forward to a position a slight distance below the adjacent ends of the sleeves D E and directly beneath the jaws of the plungers when thrust toward each other. As soon as the carrier i" has completed its movement and brought the nut into a position between the opposing ends of the plungers D E the disk G, which is also operated in the same movement of lever I), describes the short distance traversed in the movement of the long arm I-I, making a slower movement compared with the action of the cam O, and the action of the plungers in approaching each other is subsequent to the advance of the carrier containing the nut, said nut being within the space between the jaws which move toward each other, the ends of the nut entering the concavity in the ends of the said jaws are prevented from upward movement by the carrier-plate and an equal endwise pressure is maintained upon them,

so that the crushing force breaks the shell at a point equidistant from the ends of the nut and the kernel is separated with comparatively little inj nry. As soon as the jaws have approached each other sufficient to crack the IOC ' has been cracked.

shell of the nut the plungers D E are retracted in position and past the outer ends of the rods cl and e, which extend within the cavity of each jaw of the plungers D and E and eject the portions of the shells of the nut which may remain in the cavity after the nut The carrier if is then retracted in position, opening the passage, into which another nut falls, from a depression in the wheel U, upon the carrier 9, and this operation is repeated during the operation of the lever I). Simultaneously with the movement of the oscillating bars15 the movement of the upper end of said bar is communicated to the crank-shaft c5 and the agitator-bar W, the lower end of which moves backward and forward above the opening in the tube T and causing the nuts to move toward the tube without clogging. When the movement of the plungers D E are required to approach each other, so as to lessen the space between the jaws in cracking a small nut, the adjusting-bolt'p' is loosened and the plate moved forward, which gives the lever P more space in which to movev in a downward direction.

For the purpose of increasing the width of space between Vthe nut-cracking jaws independently of the operating-lever the adjusting-nuts h2 are released andthe connected portions of the bar II drawn in opposite directions the slight distance to effect the desired positionof the jaws. At the saine time the adjusting-nuts vc of the plate C are loosened, and also the adjusting-nuts s Sd' of the plates s,whereby therespective plates are enabled to be moved and also the sleeves B C', so as Vto bring the ends of each one of the retracted plungers in line with vthe end portions'of the separate sleeves; p The nuts supplied to the hopper` V are preferably assorted, and as'soon as cracked and the jaws arev retracted in'position the cracked nuts fall into a receptacle beneath provided for the purpose, in which condition they are supplied to the market and the kernels removed. I-Iavin g fully. described myinvention, what I now claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-ie l. In a nut-cracking machine, the combination Vwith a suitable bed-plate of sleeves arranged in a horizontal4 endwise position, and provided `.with power-actuated plungers and supporting-plates for said sleeves, adj ustabl y connected' with said bed-plate, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a nut-cracking machine, the combination with a suitable bed-plate havin g'a longitudinal guide-bar in the upper surface of said plate; of sleeves arranged 'in a horizontal endwise position, and provided with poweractuated plungers and supporting-plates for said sleeves, having grooves on the under side thereof adapted to receive the guide-bar on said bed-plate and suitable adjusting-bolts, as shown and described. v f A 3. .In a nut-cracking machine, the combination with a suitable bed-plate of sleeves arranged in a horizontal endwise position, nutcracking plungers or jaws in said sleeves, and separate arms varying in length, one of said arms being pivotally connected at one end with the outer end of one of said plungers, and the other arm extending a like distance and direction at one end, and the other end extending in the longitudinal direction of the said sleeves and bent at an angle and pivotally connected with the other plunger and an operating-lever connected with each arm, as and for the purpose described.

4. In a nut-cracking machine, the combination with a suitable bed-plate of sleeves arranged in a horizontal endwise position, nutcracking plungers in said sleeves, a powershaft on said bed, and a disk on said shaft, separate arms varying in length, one of said arms being pivotally connected with said disk near its periphery at one end and also pivotally connected with an adjacent outer end of one of said plungers and the other arm pivotally connected with said disk at a point eccentrically to the aforesaid-mentioned -arm at one end, and the other end extending in the longitudinal direction of said sleeves and bent at an angle and pivotally connected with the outer end of the other plunger, substantially as .shown and described.

5. In anut-cracking machine, the combination with a suitable bed of sleeves arranged in a horizontal endwise position and supporting-'plates for sleeves, adjustably connected with said bed-plate plungers in said sleeves and arms varying in length connected with the outer end portion of said plungers, one of said* arms extending in the longitudinal direction of said sleeves having separate adjustably-connected parts, as and for the purpose described.

6. In a nut-cracking machine, the combination with a suitable bed-plate of sleeves arranged in a horizontal endwise position, and poweractuated plungers or jaws, having concavities in their adjacent ends in said sleeves, each plunger having a longitudinal slot in one end and a longitudinal opening extending through theother end, and a fixed rod in said opening extending beyond the concavity in said plunger, when retracted in position having a perforationin its rear end portion and a pin in said sleeve extending within the perforation in the end of said rod, substantially as and for the purpose described.

7. In a nut-cracking machine, the combination with a suitable bed-plate of sleeves arranged in a horizontal endwise position and power-actuated plungers in said sleeves, and a hoodcarranged above the space between the adjacent ends of said sleeves and means for connecting said hood with said sleeves, substantially as shown and described.

8. In a combined nut-cracking and nutfeeding machine, the combination with a suitable bed-'plate 'of sleeves arranged in a horizontal endwise position and supporting-plates IOO IIO

therefor connected with said bed-plate, and a rearwardly-extended plate connected with one of said sleeves and having a power-conveyin g shaft j ournaled thereon in a transverse direction to said bed-plates, plungers or jaws in said sleeves, means for reciprocating said plungers, and a case extending in a transverse direction to said sleeves and having one end thereof arranged in position opposite the adjacent ends of said sleeves, said case having a reciprocating block and a nut-carryin g plate adapted to extend beneath the adjacent ends of said sleeves, connected with said block and power-conveying devices on said shaft connected With said block, substantially as shown and described.

9. In a combined nut cracking and feeding machine, comprising a bed having sleeves arranged in a horizontal endwise position, and reciprocating plun gers, and a case extending to the adjacent ends of said sleeves, the combination of a reciprocating, nu t-carryin g plate having yielding fingers upon the under side thereof extending beyond the forward end of said plates, for the purpose described.

l0. In a combined nut cracking and feeding machine, the combination With a suitable bed and sleeves upon said bed arranged in a horizontal endwise position and plungers in said sleeves, of a case having one end extending in the direction of and in juxtaposition to the adjacent ends of said sleeves, and a nut-carrying plate in said case arranged beneath the respective plungers When outwardly extended, and means for reciprocating said nutcarrying plate, in the manner and for the purpose described.

Il. In a combined nut cracking and feeding machine, the combination with a suitable bedplate, having sleeves arranged in a horizontal endwise position, and reciprocating plungers in said sleeves, of a case having one end extending in the direction of and in juxtaposition to the adjacent ends of said sleeves, a reciprocating guide-block Within said case and a nut-carryin g plate connected with said guide-block and adapted to be extended beneath said plungers When outwardly extended, and a lug on the upper edge of said guide-block above said nut-carrying plate as and for the purpose described.

1:2. In a combined nut cracking and feeding machine the combination witha suitable bedplate of sleeves arranged in ahorizontal endwise position, and reciprocating plungers in said sleeves, a rearwardly-extended plate connected with one of said sleeves, and a shaft in suitable bearings upon said plate, arranged in a transverse direction to said bed-plate, and a cam on said shaft, a plate extending in an upWard,forWard direction and connected With the bearing for said shaft, and a longitudinal slotted guide on said upwardly-extended plate and a sliding bar therein; said bar having an extended arm pivoted thereto at one end and a forked outer end engaging with said cam on said shaft and a downwardlyextended foot portion of said sliding bar, provided with a horizontally-extended link, a case having one end extending in the direction of and in juxtaposition to the adjacent ends of said sleeves, a guide-block and a nut-carrier connected With said block Within said case, alever pivoted to the outer end of said guideblock and a bell-crank lever having one end pivotally connected With the outer end of the lever on said guide-block, and a pin on the other end of said bell-crank lever, engaging with the link on the foot portion of said sliding bar and a lever for operating said shaft as and for the purpose described.

13. In a combined nut cracking and feeding machine the combination With a suitable bedplate, having sleeves arrangedin a horizontal endwise position, and reciprocating plungers in said sleeves, of a case having one end extending in the direction of the adjacent ends of said sleeves, and having reciprocatingnutcarrying devices therein, and a nut-feeding tube having its lower end connected with the said case and the other end extending in an upward direction and provided With a longitudinal slot and a nut-transmitting Wheel having depressions for the nuts, extending Within the slot in said tubes, as and for the purpose described.

14:. In a combined nut cracking and feeding machine, the combination with a suitable bedplate, having sleeves arranged in a horizontal endwise position and reciprocating plungers in said sleeves, of a horizontal case having one end extending in the direction of the adjacent ends of said sleeves and having reciprocating nut-carrying devices therein, and a nut-feeding tube connected at its lower end With said case, and having slots in opposite sides thereof; a nut-transmitting Wheel, having depressions for the nuts in one of said slots, and a fiat spring connected With said tube at one end, having the other end extending Within the other slot and in the direction of the periphery of said'wheel, as and for the purpose described.

1 5. In a combined nut cracking and feeding machine, the combination with the bed-plate of sleeves arranged in a horizontal endwise position, and reciprocating plungers in said sleeves, a rearwardly-extended plate connected with one of said sleeves, and a shaft journaled therein in a transverse direction to said bed-plate, and a plate connected eccentrically With said shaft, a case having one end extending in the direction of and in proximity to the adjacent ends of said sleeves, and a receiver for the nut beneath said sleeves, and a tube having a longitudinal slot in one side thereof, extending upwardly from said case, a standard in said bed-plate, having suitable shaftsupports, and a shaft journaled in said supports in a transverse direction to the bed-plate, and near said tube a Wheel upon said shaft having its periphery extended within the slot in said tube and depressions for the nuts in said periphery, a ratchet-wheel on said shaft,

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a horizontal supporting-bar above the shaft having the ratchet-wheel and a laterally-extended rod thereon, an oscillatingbar on said rod, having a pawl at its lower end, weighted at its outer end, engaging the said ratchetwheel, and a pawl on said rod also engaging the ratchet-Wheel, a connecting-arm pivotally connected with the lower end of said oscillating bar at one end and with the eccentric plate on the said shaft, and an operating-lever connected with said shaft, substantially as shown and described.

16. In a nut cracking and feeding machine, the combination with the reciprocating nutoracking jaws of said machine, of a tube eX- tending downwardly in the direction of and in proximity to said jaws, having a longitudinal slot and a hopper connected with the upper end of said tube, a crank-shaft journaled on said hopper, having a nut-agitating device thereon, a standard on said machine and a shaft journaled on said standard, a wheel on said shaft having depressions in its periphery, andv extending within the slot in said tube, a ratchet-wheel on said shaft, an oscillating bar pivoted to a suitable support in said standard, an arm connecting the upper end of said oscillating bar with said crank in said crank-shaft, and a pawl on the lower end of said oscillating bar engaging with the ratchet-wheel, and means for operating said oscillating bar, substantially as shown and described.

17. In a nut-cracking machine, the combination with the bed-plate having sleeves arranged in a horizontal endwise position, and plungers in said sleeves, a lever for operating said plungers, and a plate on said machine near said lever, having an adjustable stop, as and for the purpose described.

HENRY C. PFEIFFER.

Witnesses:

JOHN H. BARNES, JENNIE WILLIAMS. 

